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High School Study Abroad in Australia & Oceania

We all know that high school can get to be incredibly boring and repetitive; taking the same classes day in and day out, seeing the same people, eating the same cafeteria food, and so on. Some students just need a break from it all. Well, living in an island paradise for an extended period of time might just be the perfect way to escape the monotony! The picturesque South Pacific island nations that make up Oceania, the largest of which being Australia, are alluring for a reason, providing all the culture, education, and fun-in-the-sun any teen traveler could hope for.

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80 High School Programs in Australia & Oceania

AFS-USA
91 reviews

AFS-USA

AFS Intercultural Programs Abroad in New Zealand

New Zealand's two islands are divided by Cook Strait. The North I...

CIEE High School Abroad
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CIEE High School Abroad

CIEE High School Summer Abroad: Conservation in Sydney

Step into the shoes of a conservationist in one of the most sceni...

Travel For Teens
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Travel For Teens

Travel For Teens: Australia and New Zealand Service

Fly across the International Dateline and arrive in the Land Down...

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GVI
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GVI

High School Volunteer Abroad Programs

GVI offers a variety of opportunities for young adults between th...

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GoEco - Top Volunteer Organization
9.6534 reviews

GoEco - Top Volunteer Organization

GoEco - Top Rated & Award Winning Volunteer Programs Abroad

GoEco is one of the world’s top volunteer organizations, with awa...

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Greenheart Travel
101 reviews

Greenheart Travel

Study Abroad in New Zealand with Greenheart Travel

Spend an amazing trimester, semester, or year studying abroad as ...

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THINK Global School
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THINK Global School

THINK Global School: The World's First Traveling High School

At THINK Global School (TGS), the world's only traveling high sch...

Global Works - Travel with Purpose
81 reviews

Global Works - Travel with Purpose

Fiji Islands: Sunny Service & Island Immersion

The magic of Fiji's pristine waves is matched only by the world-f...

Youth For Understanding (YFU)
91 reviews

Youth For Understanding (YFU)

Study Abroad in Australia | YFU

The best way to get to know the land "Down Under" is to experienc...

Study Abroad Campus Education
9.638 reviews

Study Abroad Campus Education

Study Abroad Campus Education, Australia High School Program

HELLO Australia, experience living with an amazing family while a...

ActionQuest
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ActionQuest

ActionQuest BVI Summer Adventures for Teens

Living aboard sailing yachts in small groups of 11 to 13 teenager...

Rustic Pathways
107 reviews

Rustic Pathways

Fiji: Sun, Sand, and Island Service with Rustic Pathways

Embrace the welcoming culture in Fiji as you go island hopping an...

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ARCC Programs
9.65 reviews

ARCC Programs

Australia & Fiji: Island Village Initiative

Join us for a transformative 21-day cultural immersion in Austral...

Broadreach
9.673 reviews

Broadreach

Broadreach Fiji: Shark Studies

Work alongside conservationists and researchers, and dive with sh...

ASSE International Student Exchange
00 reviews

ASSE International Student Exchange

High School Year or Semester

Embark on the unique journey of spending a school year or semeste...

Latest Program Reviews

Connecting with the locals and helping the villages and women's shelter

by: JulieProgram: Fiji: Sun, Sand, and Island Service with Rustic Pathways
10

I loved the service activities we did and learning about the fijian people, community and language. Connecting with the locals and helping the villages and womens shelter was one of my favorite parts

Locations

The exact definition of Oceania is a bit vague, with some using the term to refer to the islands of the South Pacific, while others include New Zealand and Australia as well. High school programs in Australia and New Zealand are well-known and very popular, but there are programs available in the lesser known islands as well.

Australia is the world’s smallest continent, the sixth-largest country by total area, and a giant death trap (okay, maybe that is an exaggeration). Everything in Australia can kill you: crocodiles, poisonous snakes, venomous spiders, and I wouldn’t trust kangaroos either, but it’s a perfect location for fearless high school students looking for an international adventure (and, we may be exaggerating a tad). Like most countries and islands in Oceania, Australia is full of contrasts, including tropical rainforests, mountain ranges, miles and miles of desert, and the Great Barrier reef, the world’s largest coral reef system whose reputation precedes it. Students interested in wildlife conservation, environmental sustainability, and adventure with a capital A, will love high school programs in Australia.

New Zealand. Students looking for an adventure should look no further than high school programs in New Zealand. There’s a reason why adventurers, both real and fictional, are drawn to the islands. Wander the redwood forests of the North Island, then take the ferry across the Cook Strait to explore the golden shores of Abel Tasman National Park, or swim with dolphins in Kaikoura. High School students will have the opportunity to learn about New Zealand’s legendary origin story and the Maori people, who will welcome you onto their Marae with a Powhiri (welcoming ceremony), a warm Kia ora (hello/be well), and a hongi, the traditional Maori greeting where you press your foreheads and noses together. Cultural exchange is the cornerstone of any high school program in New Zealand.

Fiji. The Fiji islands are one of the top tourist attractions in the South Pacific. The (literally) hundreds of islands in this isolated archipelago contain dozens of world class beach resorts, giving students the chance to enjoy the breathtaking beauty of the islands, the ocean, and the beaches in between. Some of the best locations for snorkeling, diving, and related water sports can be found in Fiji, but nature isn’t all the Fijian islands have to offer. The locals in Fiji are well known for being some of the friendliest people on Earth. Outsiders are welcomed with open arms and a boisterous “Bula!” (“hello!” or “welcome!”), making Fiji a beautiful, safe, and culturally stimulating destination for a high school programs abroad.

Samoa. For English speaking students, high school programs in Samoa can represent a fascinating blend of strange and familiar. Consisting primarily of two main islands and located roughly halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand, Samoans speak both English and their native language, meaning a language barrier is not an issue here. This may be where the similarities end, however, as the native islander culture is alive and well on the islands. An ‘Ava ceremony is one experience that’s not to be missed, with outsiders often welcomed to participate in the ritualistic and community-oriented drinking of a liquid made from the native ‘ava root. High school programs in Samoa tend to center around volunteer work and many are offered on a shorter-term basis, making for a great getaway during short breaks from school. 

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